Fairport volleyball star on committing to USC, training wth USA Volleyball
Fairport junior Noah Meabon verbally commited to USC in November. He’s also a USA Volleyball player and one of America’s top high school players.
FAIRPORT — Years before junior Noah Meabon verbally committed to the University of Southern California men’s volleyball team, Fairport coach John O’Dell met him as a “big time” sixth-grade basketball player.
Now, Meabon, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, is considered one of the top 12 volleyball players in America. He’s already struck gold with the USA Volleyball U19 team, and is hopeful for another tournament championship run in 2025. As a sophomore, Meabon played an integral role in Fairport’s perfect 21-0 season to culminate their New York state and Section V championship runs in 2023.
Meabon will have one more chance at a state title with Fairport’s Raiders as a senior in 2025 before he heads to Los Angeles to begin his Division I volleyball career with the USC Trojans.
“He rose up the volleyball ladder pretty quickly in the community as someone who would standout as being the top player at his grade level,” O’Dell said.
From Fairport to USC
Meabon’s first interactions with USC coaching staff was June 15. He’s been in touch with head coach Jeff Nygaard and associate head coach Rory Prager ever since.
Meabon’s official USC visit was in November. He loved the team aspect and culture and verbally committed to the Trojans soon after. Meabon also considered schools like UCLA and Penn State.
“I thought USC was well organized, and I appreciated the way they approached me,” Meabon said.
O’Dell, a Penn State alum, said Meabon earned a half scholarship, which is “as good as they come” for a men’s volleyball program like USC that is allotted 4.5 scholarships. O’Dell expects Meabon to play outside or right side hitter in college. Meabon liked USC’s playing style, with their “shorter” outsides who are “aggressive” with “explosive power”, similar to his own style of play.
This past season, USC went 13-15 overall with an appearance in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament.
“It is a huge deal and it’s very special. “So few Rochester guys get offers from the big California schools,” O’Dell said.
Meabon and USA Volleyball
When Fairport hosted Penfield on Oct. 18 for a highly anticipated rematch, Meabon was one of a few players missing from the contest. Some players battled injuries, but Meabon was busy training with the USA Volleyball Nation Team Development Program in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Meabon’s first USA training experience was September 2023 in Colorado. He trained with USA again in Anaheim, California in the spring of 2024, and made the U19 team that won the NORCECA Continental Championship in Ponce, Puerto Rico in May. USA defeated Cuba 3-1 in the final.
The Puerto Rica trip is among Meabon’s cherished volleyball memories. All 12 players slept in one room with six bunk beds.
“The connection that we built there … to build that brotherhood with those guys, I’m going to remember those guys for the rest of my life,” Meabon said.
Meabon said he was first recognized by USA Volleyball at a U15s national tournament or the U16s East Coast championship. Penn state coach Mark Pavlik recommended Meabon. Meabon will train again with USA in Colorado this winter, then will compete in the FIVB Volleyball Youth World Championships tournament in Toshkent, Uzbekistan, Asia in 2025.
“He stood out among all others as someone USA program thinks is going to be real special when he’s older. Right now he’s one of the top 12 high school players in the country,” O’Dell said.
Meabon’s maturation
Meabon is most proud of his athleticism.
Meabon began plyometric training entering his sophomore season, and it’s helped his vertical leap improve from 30 inches to 43 inches. Meabon is not just a great leaper, but he’s quick and agile. He led the team in digs in November’s Section V Class A final.
Meabon can still be the best player on the court whether he’s in the front or back row. His role as a junior expanded significantly as Meabon was relied upon to do everything. He was one of Fairport’s main passers, defenders and servers, and that’s aside from his elite attacking and blocking prowess.
During Fairport’s 2023 state title run, Meabon was the Raiders’ top blocker at states. While other seniors may have received more sets, Meabon was still a go-to attacker. Fairport extended their 21-0 season in 2023 to a 25-game winning streak through this fall.
“I’m just thankful I had all the seniors I had on that trip. Great leaders that made me the great player I am today,” Meabon said.
Meabon has taken something from many coaches, from O’Dell to Fairport basketball coach Scott Fitch, whom Meabon plans to play under if he returns to basketball next winter. From his Pace Bootleggers club team, Meabon thanked Cal Wickens for opening opportunities, Owen Wickens for being his first coach, and for Spencer Wickens coaching him later and teaching technicalities of volleyball.
Meabon hopes to pass down to what each coach has taught him down to the young Rochester athletes with sports dreams.
“I want to look after those players who are really good from around here. … Coaching like that, those types of people you don’t want to let down,” Meabon said.
— Marquel Slaughter is a journalist for the Democrat and Chronicle, specializing in high school sports. He won numerous Associated Press and NYNPA awards for his work in print and broadcasting throughout his 15-year career as a reporter. Follow him @MarquelSports and X and Instagram. You can email him at [email protected].
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Publish date : 2024-12-11 18:06:00
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